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BC Secondary Manufacturers - Overview
Secondary manufacturers also known as value-added manufacturers in British Columbia are often further grouped into nine sub-categories. These categories include remanufactured products, engineered wood products, millwork, cabinets, furniture, pallets and containers, shakes and shingles, panelboards and other wood products. In the sections below a brief description of each category, the products they make and some of the species used is discussed. For further assistance in sourcing suppliers or finding related information links have been provided.
Secondary manufacturers are for the most part grouped into regional clusters for reasons of proximity to raw materials, clients, transportation routes, related companies, labour pool and R& D facilities. The majority of companies are situated in the Lower Mainland and Okanagan/West Kootenays with smaller numbers in Prince George/North Central and Vancouver Island.
Engineered Wood Products :Using a combination of wood products in layers, engineered wood products are manufactured to create products of increased strength and stability. Examples of engineered wood products include glue laminated timber, laminated veneer lumber, parallel strand lumber, oriented strand board, plywood, I-Joists and I-Beams, roof trusses and specialty engineered wood products. Species used in engineered wood products include Douglas-fir, Larch, Southern Yellow Pine and Poplar.
Millwork: Millwork companies produce doors and windows, moulding, flooring, architectural woodwork, turned wood products and stairs. Millwork projects vary in size and scope, ranging from small custom furniture pieces to larger works in airports, hotels and government offices. Species used in millwork projects include Douglas-fir, Hemlock, Cedar and various panel board species.
Cabinets: BC cabinets manufacturers produce the following cabinet types: vanity, kitchen, cabinet doors and countertops. Depending upon the project type, volume of pieces and budget, the species used in cabinet construction vary greatly. A majority of cabinets are made from hardwoods (primarily Oak and Maple) although the use of various panel boards with a choice of veneer is very common.
Furniture: Furniture manufactuers in British Columbia vary in company size, location, products made, species used and markets served. Examples of some of products manufactured by BC companies include tables, chairs, desks, entertainment centers, arts & crafts furniture, ready to assemble (RTA), patio, office and commercial. Because furniture production depends largely upon the intended use and style both softwoods and hardwoods are used including Douglas-fir, Cedar, Oak and Maple.
Pallets and Containers: Pallet and container manufacturers produce items used primarily for the transportation of various items. Pallets come in standard as well as sizes custom sizes. Container products include boxes, bins, crates, shipping and storage containers. Species used in production of pallets and containers include approximately 60% Spruce, Pine, Fir as well as Spruce and Douglas Fir panelboards.
Shakes and Shingles: Used in roofing and siding, shakes and shingles examples include products such as tongue and groove siding, shiplap siding, and board and batten siding. Shakes and shingles are naturally resistant to water, sunlight, rot and are typically installed in their natural state. Cedar constitues 96% of the wood supply used in shake and shingle production.
Panelboards: Examples of panelboard products include plywood, Oriented Strandboard (OSB), Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF), and particleboard. Because of the capital involved in manufacturing panelboard products this type of production is often handled by medium and large producers. Species used in the production of some panelboards include Spruce and Douglas-fir.
Other Wood Products: Other wood products is a large category populated by a variety of business types and sizes. Some examples of other wood products include poles & posts, veneer, instruments, wood novelties and wood crafts. Due to the variety of products making up this category the species used varies just as greatly.
Business Directory:
This list of lumber manufacturers includes companies operating in all parts of BC.